Police arrest suburban Phoenix man in murder-for-hire plot

PHOENIX — Mesa Police have arrested a man who tried to hire a hitman to kill his grandfather.

Devin Kaleb Almejo, 20, was charged with attempted murder after an undercover officer responded to an online ad from someone who wanted to buy a gun to kill a grandparent.

He was charged with conspiracy to commit premeditated murder in the first degree,and attempted premeditated murder in the first degree.

Police said the officer and Almejo met in a parking lot near Alma School Road and Main Street. When the officer offered to do the killing, Almejo offered payment in the form of an iPad, iPod and free hair cuts for a year.

Almejo told the officer that he could provide a photo of his grandfather, the man’s schedule and keys to the house.

Almejo said his grandfather was abusive. Police responded to a domestic violence call at the house earlier this year.